Well flowing apparatus



April 7,` 1942. c. s. cRlcKMER WELL FLowING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7. 1959 April 7, 1942. c. s. cRlcKMl-:R

u WELL- FLowINq APPARATUS Filed Jan. '7, 1939 2 Smets-sheet ,2 1

illlllllllmll Patented Apr. 7, @d2

.UNITE STATES PArNT OFFICE WELL FLOWING APPARATUS Charles S. Crickmer, Dallas, Tex., assgnor to Merla Tool Company of Dallas, Tex., a firm Application January 7, 1939, serial No.' 249,611

14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well flowing apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for lifting well fluids to the surface by means of an auxiliary lifting fluid, such as gas or air, the device being particularly adapted for use in wells having a relatively low standing liquid level and a resulting low liquid lfiting fluid inlet valve for admitting said lifting fluid to the liquid column to aerate and lift the same, said valve being arranged to be located below the standingl liquid level of the well and being constructed so as to be operated electrically, whereby the operation of said valve may be either automatically or manually controlled from the surf-ace of the well to admit the lifting fluid to the liquid column when said liquid has risen above the valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus, of the character described, wherein an electrically operated valve is located within the well bore for controlling the admission of a lifting gas to the liquid column, together with improved means at the surface of the well for controlling the operation of said valve, whereby said valve will be automatically operated at predetermined time intervals; said means also controlling the duration of each-operation, that is, the length of time which the valve remains open, whereby the volume of gas introduced into the liquid column upon each operation of the valve may be'accurately controlled.

A further. object of the invention is to provide an improved well flowing apparatus having a plurality of electrically operated valves disposedat various elevations in the well tubing, with selective means -at the surface for selectively operating one or more of the valves to admit gas to the liquid column at one or more elevations; such arrangement making it possible to find the approximate liquid level in the well bore by successively operating the valves in a predetermined order.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well flowing apparatus, of'the character described, wherein a plurality of gas-admitting electrically operated valves are disposed at various elevations in the well bore and are connected to a single source of current supply so that current may be conducted thereto over a single conductor; each valve being constructed so that it will be energized by a different amperage than the rest, whereby one or more of said valves may be actuated by varying the amperage of the.

current flowing to the valves, thereby making it possible to control the admission of gas into a liquid column in the well bore, from the surface of the well. i

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

I'he invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example ofthe invention is shown, and

' wherein:

Figure l is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation of an improved well flowing apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of one of the improved gas admitting valves, with said valve in a seated or closed position,

Figure 3 is a similar view, with the val've in an open position, and

Figure 4 is a View, similar to Figure l, and showing a plurality of valves mounted at spaced elevations in the well tubing and also illustrating the improved means for controlling the operation of the valves'.

Fig. 5 is an electrical diagram, showing a modification of the controlling means of Fig. 4.

- The invention is particularly adaptable for use in wells which have ceased to flow naturally, that is', the natural gas pressures in the producing formation at the bottom of the Well bore is insumcient to raise the well liquids to the surface. However, in most cases, the natural gas pressure is sufficient to raise the well liquids to some level in the bore, such level being dependent upon and varying in accordance. with the condition and character of each well. By introducing an auxiliary lifting medium, such as gas or air, into the well bore below the standing liquid level therein, the liquid column is acted upon by said auxiliary lifting medium and. is thereby lifted to the surface. A

In the drawings, the numeral Ill designates a `well casing Awhich extends vertically within the well bore II. The upper end of the casing projects from the bore and has a casing head i2 mounted thereon. The casing head is provided with a radial inlet pipe I3 and this pipe is connected with a source of supply of'gas, air, or other lifting uid, whereby such lifting uid is conducted tothe interior of the weil casing. A well tubing I4 extends axially through the casing head and also through the well casing, being suitably supported in said head in the usual manner. The upper end of the tubing extends from the head and' has an outlet pipe I5 connected thereto for conducting the well fluids from the tubing. I'he lower end of the tubing carries a well screen I8 which is coupled thereto, and a well packer I 1, of any suitable construction, is mounted on the tubing above `the screen. This packer is arranged to seal oiI the annular space between the well tubing and the well casing, whereby the lifting gas which is introduced into the well casing III cannot pass downwardly to the producing formation and also whereby the well fluids cannot flow upwardly in said casing but must flow into the tubing and upwardly therein.

The well packer is set below the normal standing liquid level and the well fluids thereabove are suitably removed, after which the liquid level in the casing cannot rise above said packer, with the result that the liquid level in the tubing n'ses to a higher point, which is indicated at L in Figure 1.

For controlling the admission of the lifting gas from the casing III into the liquid column standing in the tubing I4, an electrically operated valve A is connected in the tubing string. The valve assembly includes an elongate tubular body I8 which is of substantially the same diameter as the tubing and this body is connected in the tubing by coupling collars I9. A cylindrical housing as cylinder 20 is mounted exteriorly of the body between an upper radial lug 2l and a lower radial extension 22, which parts are welded, or otherwise secured to the body. The upper end of the cylinder engages within an opening 2| formed in the lug 2I, while the lower end of said cylinder is threaded into an opening 22 in the top of the extension. 'Ihe housing or cylinder is preferably made in two sections which are connected together by screw threads, whereby assembly and mounting of the same is facilitated.

The upper end of the cylinder is closed by a plug 23 which is screw-threaded into the upper section. The lower end of the cylinder is provided with an axial port 24 which has its lower end communicating with a radially extending passage 25 formed in the extension 22. The inner end of the passage communicates with the bore of the body I8 and since said body is connected in the tubing string, communication is established between the bore 2li'v of the cylinder and the interior of the tubing. A radial port 26 is provided in the wall of the cylinder near its lower end and this port establishes communication between the well casing Il and the bore 20' of the cylinder, whereby the lifting gas may ilow from the casing into `the cylinder and then through the port 24 and passage 25 into the tub- For controlling the flow of lifting gas through the cylinder-'or housing 20, a valve plunger 25 is mounted to reciprocate within the cylinder. The plunger is disposed axially within the cylinder and is slidable within a reduced portion 20a of the bore, said portion being formed by reducing the lower end of the bore of the upper section of the cylinder. The plunger is thus guided in its vertical movement. The lower end of the plunger is bevelled and is arranged to engage an annular valve seat 21 which surrounds the upper end of the port 24. The plunger is arranged to seat by gravity and when seated, closesv the port 24 to shut oi the flow from the interior of the cylinder into the port Zland passage 25 and to the interior of the tubing. Obviously, when the valve plunger is raised, the port 24 is open and the lifting gas may flow, from the well casing I0 through said port 24 and the passage 25 and into the tubing, whereby the liquid column in said tubing is lifted or raised by the admitted lifting gas.

'Ihe valve plunger 26 is constructed of a material which is capable of being attracted by a magnetic force and the upper end of said plunger is slidable within the bore of a solenoid S. The solenoid is housed within the upper section of the cylinder 20 above the reduced portion 28a and rests upon the internal, annular shoulder 28 which is formed by said reduced portion. The solenoid is constructed in the usual manner and includes the insulating sleeve 28, around which the coil 28 is wound. The upper end of the valve plunger is slidable within the sleeve and, manifestly, when the solenoid is energized, the plunger is attracted by the magnetic force set up by such energization, with the result that the plunger is lifted and its lower bevelled end disengaged from the seat 2l, whereby the lifting gas from the casing is admitted to the liquid column in the tubing. When the solenoid is de-energized, the plunger is released and falls by gravity to a seated position to close the port 24 and shut off the flow of the lifting gas to the tubing. The electrical current to the solenoid S is conducted thereto by lead wires 30a and 80h which are housed within an insulating cable 30, which has its lower end extending through an opening 3i formed in the plug 23. The lower ends of the lead wires are electrically connected to the solenoid.

The cable 30 extends upwardly through the well casing exteriorly of the tubing and project.; through a suitable packing gland 32 in the top of the casinghead I2. The upper end of the wire 38a is connected to a battery 33, or other source of electrical current supply, and said battery provides the current for energizing the solenoid S, as will be explained. The upper end of the wire 30h is connected to a contact blade 34 which has one end riding on the periphery of a commutator disk 35. The disk 35 is mounted on a shaft 33 which is driven through a gear train 31 by a spring motor 38, or other driving means. The driving means is arranged to rotate the disk at a predetermined constant speed, whereby said disk makes one revolution per predetermined length of time, as for example one revolution each four, eight, twelve or twenty-four hours.

The commutator clisk is constructed of an electrical insulating materialand provided with a plurality of electrical contacts 39 which are equally spaced around the periphery thereof. Eight contacts have been shown but more or less may be provided, as desired. Since the contacts are disposed on the periphery of the disk and since the blade 34 is riding on said periphery of the disk, it is obvious that said blade engages each contact once during each revolution of the disk. The length of each contact. together with the speed of rotation of the disk determines the duration of time that said blade remains in engagement with the contact.

A` contact ring '$0 is mounted on one side of the disk 35 and each contact is connected with said ring by metallic strips or wires 4I, whereby electrical current may be'conducted from the ring to the contacts. Current is supplied to the ring 3B by a brush or wiper 42 which has one end riding on said ring. The opposite end of the brush is mounted on an insulating block 42' and a supply wire 33a connects this end of the brush with the battery. Manifestly, electrical current is constantly supplied to the ring 33 and contacts 33v and when one of said contacts engages the brush 33, electrical current is conducted through the wire 33h downwardly to one side of the solenoidS. The other side of the solenoid is connected to the other side of the battery 33 through the Wire 30a and, thus, each. time the blade 33 engages one of the contacts 39, the circuit to the solenoid is completed, whereby said solenoid is energized to lift the valve plunger'26 to admit lifting gas to the tubing. Dlsengagement of the blade 33 from the contacts 39 breaks the circuit to de-energize the solenoid and permits seating of the valve plunger to shut oil` the admittance of the lifting gas to the liquid column in the tubing ifi.

In operation, the valve A is connected in the tubing string lil at a desired point therein and when the tubing is set within the well casing, said valve is located below the normal standing liquid level L in the tubing. The well packer il I has, of course, been set below the valve to seal olf the annular space betweenthe well casing and the well tubing and, as has been explained, the well liquids cannot rise upwardly in the casing above said packer but must flow upwardly through the tubing. The location or elevation of the packer in the casing will control, to some extent, the level to which the well liquid will rise in the tubing for, obviously, when the packer is nearer the bottom of the bore, the well liquid is forced higher in the tubing. After the packer l1 is set, any well liquid thereabove is removed from the casing and the lifting gas, under a suitable pressure, is introduced into the casing the solenoid S, Withthe result that said solenoid is de-energized and the valve plunger 26 is in a lowered position closing the port 23. I

The conditions of the well, such as the ap proximate standing liquid level and the time required to reach such level, is known to the operator and the commutator disk 35 is constructed in accordance with suchwell conditions. For example, it may require three hours for the well liquids to rise to the level L in the tubing and, therefore, lifting gas should be admitted each three hours. Knowing the size of the gas admittingport 24 and passage 25, the operator can readily determine the volume of gas which must be admitted to efllciently raise the well liquid, above the valve A, to the surface and, therefore, the operator may ascertain the length of time that the valve plunger 26 shall remain unseated upon each operation to admit suilicient gas.

Assuming that 'the well conditions are such that the liquid level L is attained every three hours, it is desirable to actuate the valve.A every gas is admitted to the tubing,

-liquid to the surface.

three hours to raise the liquid. In such instance, the commutator disk 35 is geared to the spring motor 38 so as to make one completev revolution every twenty-four hours. Eight equally spaced contacts 39 are provided on the disk and one of these contacts engages the con-- tact blade 3H every three hours, whereby the electrical circuit to the solenoid S is completed periodically. Each time the circuit is completed, the solenoid is energized to unseat .the Valve plunger 26, whereby the lifting gas is admitted to the liquid column iny the tubing to lift said Therefore, the valve is actuated to admit gas, as needed, and since said valve is electrically operated, the pressure of the well liquid or of-the lifting gas is not depended upon to operate the same. 'I'his is particularly desirable in low level wells which inherently lack a substantial bottom hole pressure.

From the above, it will be seen that the spacing of the contacts 39 around the commutator disk control the operation of the plunger 26 to admit the gas. So long asany one contact remains in engagement with the contact blade 33, the electrical circuit to the solenoid S is complete, with the result that the plunger 26 remains raised or unseated as long as the solenoid is energized. If the contact 39 is lengthened, the blade 3d remains in engagement therewith a longer duration of time, whereas if said contact is shortened, the duration of engagement between the blade and contact is also shortened.- rI'hus, the length of each contact controls the length of time which the solenoid S is energized upon each operation and since the solenoid operates the plunger 26, the length of the contact 39 controls the duration of time that said plunger is unseated. Obviously, if the plunger is unseated for only a short time, only a small volume of gas may enter the tubing but if the plunger remains unseated for a greater length of time, an increased volume of Therefore, byI varying the length or size of the contacts 39 on the. disk 35, the duration of time of engagement of said contacts with the blade 34 may be varied, with the result that the volume of gas admitted to the tubing may be accurately controlled. The spacing of said contacts around the disk controls the time of operation of the valve plunger 26, while' the length or size of each contact controls the duration of time which the plunger remains unseated. This provides a means for admitting the gas, as needed, and in the proper volumes necessary for lifting the well liquids.

Although eight contacts have been shown on the disk 35, it is manifest that the number and spacing thereof will vary according to the particular conditions of each well. Also, the spring motor 33 is not essential to the invention as any suitable driving means may be employed. It is noted that although it is desirable to operate the valveA automatically by means of the disk 35 and blade 34, these parts could be eliminated and a hand switch for closing the electrical circuit to the solenoid substituted therefor; in such event, the operation of the valve A would be controlled manually.

The apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 is particularly adapted for use in wells having a rela- `tively low standing liquid level and the single valve A functions as an intermitter to intermittently admit the lifting gas to the well tubing.

However, the valve A can be utilized as a flow valve which is controlled from the surface of the well and in Figure 4, this adaptation of the invention is illustrated. In this form o1' therinvention, a plurality of the valves AI. A2 and A3 are connected in the tubing string I4 at spaced elevations therein. .The solenoid of each valve may be connected to a source of electrical current supply at the surface and said solenoids may be energized at any desired time and in any desired order, such energization being controlled by a hand switch, or other manually operated means (not shown), whereby a stage lift :flow apparatus is provided.

However, it is desirable to control the various valves AI, A2 and A3 by the control means shown in Figure 4, wherein the commutator disk 35, driven at a constant speed by the motor 38, is employed. The switch blade 34 rides on the periphery of the disk and is arranged to engage the contacts 38 on the disk, as has been explained. Electrical current is supplied to the ring 40 on said disk by the wire 33a and brush 42 which lead from one side of the battery 33. The lead wire 30h leads from the contact blade 34 and extends downwardly within the cable and has its lower end connected with one side of the solenoid S of the lowermost valve A3. Ihe solenoids of the other valves AI and A2 have one side connected to the wire 3llb byshort wires 30c. The other side of the 'solenoids of the valves AI and A2 are electrically connected to the wire 30a by short wires 30d, while the lower end of the said wire 30a connects to the other side of the solenoid of the lowermost valve A3. vThe upper end of the wire 30a is, of course, connected to the battery 33, as has been explained. It is pointed out that the wire 30a could be directly connected to the wel] tubing H at the surface, in which event one side of the solenoids of the valves AE, A2 and A3 would be grounded to said tubing, which would act as the connection between the solenoids and wire 30a.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the valves Al, A2 and A3 are all connected to the switch blade 34 and when said switch blade engages one of the contacts 39 of the commutator disk 35, an electrical current will flow to the solenoids of the valves.y If all of the windings of said solenoids are exactly the same, they will be actuated by the same amperage and will,

therefore, operate simultaneously. However, it

is desirable that each operate on a current amperage different from the others so that one or more valves may be actuated without affecting the others. For this reason, the windings of the solenoids in the valves are different.

For the purposes of this description, it will be assumed that the solenoid of the valve Al is constructed so that it will operate on ve amperes, the solenoid of valve A2 will operate on ten amperes and the solenoid of valvevAS will operate on uiteen amperes. Thus, if five amperes current is flowing through the wire 30h only the valve AI actuates, the remaining valves being' inactive. Ten amperes of current will operate both valves Al and A2, without affecting valve A3, while fteen amperes will actuate all three valves. In this manner, the valves may be operated in order from the top to the bottom of the tubing string and such arrangement makes it possible to substantially locate the liquid level in the tubing. For example, if the level is at L in Figure 4 between valves AI and A2, ilve amperes current may be conducted over the wire 30h and this causes the valve Al to operate to admit lifting gas. By observing the eiiluent at the surface of the tubing, the operator can note that only gas is flowing from the tubing and is thus advised that the valve AI is above the liquid level. By increasing the current amperage the next below valve A2 is operated to admit gas to the liquid column and since the level is above the valve A2, the liquid will be lifted to the surface and the operator is advised that the level is between the valves AI and A2. Since the location of the valves is known, the liquid level may be approximated.

For varying the amperage of the current ilowing over the wire 30h, a variable resistance 50 is connected in the wire 33a between the battery 33 and the brush 42. This resistance may be of any desired construction and has contact points I, 2 and 3 thereon, said points corresponding to the amperage necessary to operate the various valves. When the movable contact arm 5I of the resistance is on point l, the current has only sufcient amperagel to actuate valve AI. Move ment of the arm to point 2 decreases the resist ance to increase the amperage sufiicient to operate valves Al and A2, and further movement of the arm to point 3 further decreases the resistance so that all the valves will be actuated. In this manner, operation of the valves may be controlled by manually adjusting the resistance. It is pointed out that although the variable resistance has been found suitable, any other suitable means for controlling the amperage may be employed. Also, the invention is not to be limited to the particular order of operation of the valves, as illustrated and described, for by varying the windings of the solenoids, the valves may be operated in any desired sequence.

Further, a cut-out switch could be provided for each valve, whereby said valve could be disconnected from the circuit at any desired time.

This arrangement is illustrated at Fig. 5. The

commutator 35 and its associated parts are arranged as previously described, including the wire 30h leading from the contact blade 34 to one side of the solenoids of the various valves AI-A2-A3. The other side of the solenoids of the respective valves are connected by wires 30dI-30d2--30d3 to one side of cut-out switches 601-601-803 which are accessible at the surface, and the other side of the cut-cut switches are connected to the wire 30a which leads to the battery 33. By this arrangement, any desired one or more of the cut-out switches may be closed, for selecting only the corresponding one or more valves for operation.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope oi the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of electrically operated valves at different elevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of fluid between the interior and the exterior of the well tubing, an electrical circuit for the valves, means in said circuit at the surface of the well for controlling flow of electrical current in said circuit, said valves being adapted for operation by different amperage of said electrical current, and means for varying said amperage.

2. A well producing apparatus including, well aavauaa tubing in a well, a plurality of valves at different elevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of fluid between the interior and the exterior of the well tubing, operating means controlling alternate opening and closing of the respective valves, means controlled from the surface and operable while the valves are in the well for selecting only any desired one or more of the operating means for operation, and a common means at the surface controlling operation of the selected one or more operating means so that the corresponding one or more valves alternately open and close.

3. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in the bore of a well and defining passageways for fluids surrounding one another in said bore, a plurality of valves at different elevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of fluid between said passageways, operating means for the respective valves, means controlled from the surface and operable while the valves are in the Well and independently of said fluids for selecting only any desired one or more of the operating means for operation, and a com mon means at the surface controlling operation of the selected one or more operating means so as to operate the corresponding one or more valves.

4. A Well producing apparatus including, well tubing in the bore of a well and defining passageways for fluids surrounding one another in said bore, plurality of valves at different elevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of fluid between said passageways, operating means in the well controlling alternate opening and closing of the respective Valves, means controlled `from the surface and operable while the valves electrical circuit for the valves, -a `single control member in said circuit at the surface of the well for automatically controlling flow of electrical current in said circuit, and means for operating the valves in predetermined order by said electrical current.

8. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of electrically operated valves at different elevations in the well,

each valve controlling flow of fluid between the interior and the exterior of the well tubing, an electrical circuit for the valves, means in said circuit atthe surface of the well for controlling `ow of, electrical current in said circuit, the

valves being operated by diierent amperage of said electrical current, and means for varying said amperage for operating the desired valve or valves.

9. A well producing apparatus including, well i electrical circuit for varying said electrical current, whereby the valves may be operated in predetermined order.

l0. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of valves atdiiferent elevations in the well, each valve controlling now of fluid between the interior and exterior of the Well tubing, operating means for the respective valves, means accessible at the surface and operv able while the valves are in the well for selecting 5. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of valvesat different elevations in the well, each valve controlling ing of the alternate opening and closingof the selected one or more valves.

6. A well producingapparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality-of electrically operated valves at different lelevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of fluid between the interior and the exteriorofthewell tubing, an electrical circuit for the valves, and a single movable member in said circuit at the surface of the well for controlling flow of electrical current in said circuit, for controlling operation of the valves. 1 i

7. A well producing apparatuslincluding, well tubing in a Well, a plurality of electrically operated valves at di'erent elevations vin the well, each valve controlling flow of -fluid between the interior and the exterior of the well tubing, an

.only any desired one or more of the operating means for operation, and a common means at the surface controlling operation of the selected one or more operating means so as -to operate only the corresponding one or more valves.

ll. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of valves at different elevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of uid between the interior and exterior of the well tubing, operating means in the Well controlling alternate opening and closing of the respective Valves, means accessible at the surface and operable while the valves and the operating means are in the Well for selecting only any desired one or more of the operating means for operation, and a common means at the surface automatically controlling operation of the select` ed one or more operating means so that only the corresponding one or more valves alternately open and close.

12. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of valves at different elevations in the well, each valve controlling flow of fluid between the interior and exterior of the well tubing, electrical operating means in the well for the respective valves, an electrical circuit for each operating means, said circuits extend-- ing to the surface, a switch in each circuit accessible at the surface for selecting and closing the switch of only any`desired one or more of the electrical circuits, and a common means at the surface for energizing vthe one or more electrical circuits in which the switch has been closed, so as to energize the corresponding one or more operating meansl for operating only the corresponding one or more valves.

13. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of valves at dlil'erent elevations inthe well, each valve controlling flow of iluid between the interior and exterior of the well tubing, electrical operating means in the well controlling alternate opening and closing of the respective valves, an electrical circuit for each operating means, said. circuits extending to the surface, a switch in each circuit accessible at the surface for selecting and closing the switch of only any desired one or more of the electrical circuits, and a common means at the surface for automatically alternately energizing and deenergizing the one or more electrical circuits in which the switch has been closed, for alternately energizing and deenergizing the corresponding one or more operating means so that only the corre- `ssilionding one or more valves alternately open and ose.

14. A well producing apparatus including, well tubing in a well, a plurality of valves at different elevations in the. well, each valve controlling flow of iiuid between the interior and exterior of the well tubing, electrical operating means in the well for the respective valves. an electrical circuit.

for the plurality of operating means, said circuit extending to the surface, means at the surface for controlling ilow of electrical current in said circuit, and means in said circuit and controllable from the surface for energizing the operating means in predetermined order by electrical current in said circuit. y

' CHARLES S. CRICKMER. 

